Moon Jar

Date2007

Maker Park Young-sook Korean, born 1947

Label TextWhite porcelain wares were favored by the royal court during the Joseon dynasty (1392–1910), largely because the color white suggests purity, honesty, and modesty—Confucian virtues that were valued at the time. The moon jar possesses a distinctive form, which evokes the full moon and hence the name. Park Young-sook is renowned for her re-creation of Joseon-dynasty moon jars. This "full moon" jar, with a milky white body and an all-over transparent glaze, unites the purity of form of traditional Korean pottery with modern technical prowess.

Object number2007.86

ProvenanceThe artist; purchased by Frank S. Bayley, San Francisco, California; to Seattle Art Museum, Seattle, Washington, 2007

Photo CreditPhoto: Susan Cole

Exhibition HistorySeattle, Washington, Seattle Asian Art Museum, Transforming Traditions: Japanese and Korean Art since 1800, May 23, 2009 - Feb. 21, 2010. Seattle, Washington, Seattle Art Museum, Luminous: The Art of Asia, October 13, 2011 - January 8, 2012. Seattle, Washington, Seattle Asian Art Museum, Boundless: Stories of Asian Art, February 8, 2020 - ongoing [on view February 8, 2020 - July 29, 2024]. Seattle, Washington, Seattle Asian Art Museum, Meot: Korean Art from the Frank Bayley Collection, August 28, 2024 - March 9, 2025.Published ReferencesIshikawa, Chiyo, ed. "A Community of Collectors: 75th Anniversary Gifts to the Seattle Art Museum." Seattle: Seattle Art Museum, 2007, illus. p. 89

Credit LineGift of Frank S. Bayley III, in honor of the 75th Anniversary of the Seattle Art Museum

Dimensions20 x 19 1/2 in. (50.8 x 49.5 cm)

MediumPorcelain with clear glaze